Pro-Quality Audio Recording

At the heart of this recording solution is the Alpha audio interface, which has a single XLR microphone input, a pair of TRS line inputs, and two TRS and RCA line outs. For direct recording of electric guitar or bass to your computer, the Alpha Studio sports a front-panel, high-impedance 1/4-inch instrument input. Its 1/8-inch headphone output makes for convenient monitoring with your favorite set.

The Alpha can stream two channels of 44.1 or 48 kHz audio at either 16- or 24-bit resolution to your computer. Simultaneously record two tracks from two different input sources, and keep tabs on your levels with the mic and line inputs' individual level controls and peak meters. You also get mono/stereo monitoring and zero-latency Direct/Playback Monitoring.

Bundled Software Sweetens the Deal

Dive right in to the recording process with Cubase LE music-production software and Lexicon's Pantheon Reverb plug-in, both included with the Alpha. Cubase LE works hand in hand with the Alpha I/O Mixer, giving you a plethora of multi-tracking, editing, and mixing options. After you've recorded some tracks, give them Lexicon's royal reverb treatment with Pantheon.

Conveniently USB Powered

Drawing power from your computer's USB port, the bus-powered Alpha can work its magic anywhere, without the need for a bulky power supply; a USB cable is all you need and lucky for you, that comes included, too. If portability, simplicity, and affordability are important to you, check out the Lexicon Alpha. It does what it's supposed to do, at a very reasonable price.

Product Description

Record anywhere you can carry your laptop! Studio quality hardware and powerful software that turns your PC or Mac into a 24-bit recording studio.

The Alpha Desktop Recording Studio is extremely compact, yet it gives you the features needed to get professional recording results anywhere! Designed with many of the same features found in professional studios, Alpha Studio is your complete recording solution: a USB powered I/O mixer with Cubase LE, the popular recording production suite from Steinberg, and their acclaimed Lexicon Pantheon VST reverb plug-in. A dual-input, 2-bus, 2-output USB I/O mixer with extra high-impedance instrument input and separate headphone output gives you the freedom to not only record but also mix anywhere.

Professional Mixer

- Separate mic and line level input controls with individual peak indicators
- Monitor mix control for balancing an audio source between live input and playback mix level while recording. Can be switched to stereo or mono
- High-powered headphone amp offers ultra-clear fidelity while delivering ample power for any type of headphones
- RF-filtered and TRS balanced Line outputs for speaker monitoring

USB Powered

Connect to your computer with the included USB cable. No need for a power supply'so you can record anywhere you can take your laptop

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"Well Worth the Money"

Sound:
As for sound quality, this little unit is surprisingly quiet when a guitar is hooked directly into it and dead silent when a balanced xlr is connected. Very little coloration is introduced by the unit so not much adjusting is required on the output side.
Feature:
High-z, xlr, and balanced 1/4" cover the bases for inputs. Generous gain settings and mix control are fantastic. Asio support was a simple install and at 5ms latency perfect for my needs. Usb powered means one less cable to worry about.
Ease of Use:
Five minutes of fiddling with knobs and an additional 10 for software I was able to crank out a very respectable recording.
Quality:
Build quality of the unit seems a little flimsy but if you just hook it up on your desk and leave it there you shouldn't have any problems.
Value:
Well worth the money in comparison to other options out there. I mean it's Lexicon for cryin out loud.
Manufacturer Support:
Haven't had any prob with it. So I consider that great support.
The Wow Factor:
Super simple design and setup surprised me the most.
Overall:
I didn't expect much from this little interface, but wound up being extremely surprised. Definitely worth the money for the features and sound quality.

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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
"Best price for simple, professional I/O"

Sound:
Just got mine today. It's probably the cheapest USB interface available. Perfect, does exactly what it says. 4 inputs all together, but you can only use 2 at a time. The XLR and the front 1/4 input are both routed to the same channel as Line 1 input in the back. As for the outs, I most likely won't be using the RCA ports, but I'm sure some DJ's will appreciate it.
Feature:
the L and R outputs are not 2 separate outs, they are only left and right. Still, you can use them as separate outs by panning the tracks to only left or right. For example, I ran 2 microphones through the inputs, and had one mic's sound going to the left channel, and the other mic went to the right. Neither one went through the other side at all. Maybe that's a no brainer, but I thought I might try to help out a little.
Ease of Use:
Very to use. Especially with an ASIO 4 All driver.
Quality:
It would be nicer if it was metal because the plastic would be more likely to break, but it seems pretty sturdy and strong
Value:
Best pricing on a simple audio interface I've seen. Everyone else wants to overprice a simple in and out. This is a good deal.
Manufacturer Support:
No service needed for me. Simple set up. Just follow the instruction on the setup.
The Wow Factor:
sits on top of anything nicely. simple sleek design makes it look "high dollar." not too bulky, but could have a little more space between inputs. it's not bad, just if someone was using some huge cables, the might have to squeeze a little. if you're into all this smaller is better stuff though, and use slim cables like a normal person, you should be fine. It just doesn't waste any space
Overall:
Someday I look forward to getting the Omega, but in all honesty, this is enough for me. I'm very proud of my Alpha, and I will keep it forever. No disappointments because I knew exactly what I was getting. And if anyone is disappointed, it's probably because they though they were getting more for some reason, or their having setup problems, and are blaming it on the box instead of their computer of software. Just get an ASIO driver and everything will work out fine!

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